Description: Have you ever wondered what your grandmother’s favorite porcelain vase is worth? Your Uncle Fred’s Civil War memorabilia? That oil painting that you bought at a thrift shop that seems an original and is signed? A basket that was supposed to have been traded to your third-great-grandfather by a Cherokee Indian? On and on. Many people have inherited or purchased items that they would love to have identified and appraised.
The Virginia Highlands Festival, in conjunction with the William King Museum of Art, will conduct an Antiques Discovery Day in which a panel of regional experts will try to identify your “treasures” and give you an informal appraisal of their worth.
Experts: The lead expert will be Ken Farmer, a lifelong resident of the state of Virginia. He and his wife Jane have been avid students and collectors of Southern material culture since their marriage in 1974. He began his professional career as a dealer in Americana and decorative arts and then went on to operate two regional auction houses. Farmer has also been an appraiser on the popular PBS series “Antiques Roadshow” for over 20 years. He currently specializes in antique and fine art appraisals, advising both buyers and sellers, and consulting with people who are downsizing. His business is all about establishing relationships with clients and helping them meet their needs.
Other regional antiques dealers and experts will aid with Antiques Discovery Day as well. These include the following:
Laura Crockett from Brunk Auctions who specializes in Art
Katie Simonetti from Brunk Auctions who specializes in Jewelry
Larry Clevinger who specializes in Military Items, Coins, and Collectibles
Paul Hill, Jr. who specializes in Glass, China, and Collectibles
Betsy White, the Executive Director of the William King Museum of Art, and Katie Edwards, the Curator of Fine and Decorative Arts, will also be in attendance to document Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee furniture, textiles, and decorative arts for the museum’s Cultural Heritage Project archive.
Details: The cost for the identification and appraisal of one item is $10, or three items for $25. Tickets will be available at the door.
Restrictions: Please do not bring firearms. If you want a piece of furniture identified or appraised, take a number of cell phone photographs from all angles of the piece and bring your phone to the event.
Reservations: For those wish to reserve a time slot, buy tickets online for 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM times at the link below.
